The Russian Occupation of Crimea in 2014: The Second Sürgün (The Soviet Genocide) of the Crimean Tatars

Authors : Sezai Özçelik

Pages : 29-44

Doi:10.31454/usb.721939

View : 39 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2020-05-04

Article Type : Research

Abstract :The response of the Crimean Tatars politicians, civil society, and nation toward the Russian occupation of Crimea is clear cut and obvious. They have condemned the Russian aggression toward the Ukrainian territorial integrity in national and international levels. This paper aims to analyze the current situation of the Crimean Tatars after the 2014 Crimean Crisis. It investigates how the Crimean Tatars conditions in their homeland have evolved under the Russian occupation forces for the last six years. In order to understand the current situation, it is necessary to examine the chosen trauma, the forced deportation (Sürgün) or Soviet Genocide that was ordered by Stalin in 18th May 1944. It has played a significant role to shape the Crimean Tatar national identity. Furthermore, the paper focuses on the repercussions of the Crimean crisis from political, social and international perspectives. In the last part, Turkey's reactions toward this regional conflict in the Black Sea region are evaluated.
Keywords : Crimea, Crimean Occupation, Crimean Tatars, Turkey, Russia, Crimea Annexation